State Duma Defense Committee member Andrei Kolesnik said US and British reconnaissance aircraft recently spotted near the Kaliningrad Region were gathering information on Russian military facilities.
According to Kolesnik, such flights near Russia’s borders have become regular rather than isolated. He argued that Western countries are paying particular attention to Kaliningrad because they view the region as one of the key targets in a potential confrontation.
Kolesnik said the aircraft remain near neutral waters while monitoring Russian air defense systems, naval assets and other military capabilities, including their deployment and operational condition. He also claimed that Western planning documents identify the Kaliningrad Region as a possible priority target in the event of hostilities.
The lawmaker also pointed to the presence of F-16 fighter jets in the region, noting that they are potentially capable of carrying nuclear weapons. He added that Western countries are actively building fortifications near Russia’s borders. In his assessment, these developments could indicate preparations for a possible escalation and should not be underestimated.
At the same time, Kolesnik said the Kaliningrad Region has sufficient forces and resources to defend itself. He argued that in the event of a direct conflict, Russia would be capable of inflicting unacceptable damage on its opponent, with consequences that could affect a large part of Europe.